Chandigarh:, Sept. 2 -- Incessant rain pushed major rivers and dams in Punjab to critical levels, turning the situation in flood-battered state grimmer. Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to chief minister Bhagwant Mann immediately after returning to Delhi from China to enquire about the flood situation in the state and assured him of every support needed. The devastating floods in Punjab have claimed 29 lives so far besides impacting the lives of more than 2.56 lakh people, officials said on Monday. Villages worst-affected by the floods are in Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Fazilka, Kapurthala, Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, Hoshiarpur and Amritsar districts While all major rivers - Sutlej, Beas and Ravi in spate - water levels in the Bhakra and Pong dams have risen further, with more rain predicted in Punjab and Himachal in the coming days. Rains lashed several parts of the state, with Ludhiana logging the highest rainfall of 216.70 mm in 24 hours. Heavy rain unleashed widespread destruction across the district, claiming three lives, causing building/wall collapses and severe waterlogging. More than 75mm of rain threw life out of gear in Jalandhar. The rainfall, which continued for 12 hours, created a flood-like situation with water entering into residences of the people in several localities. According to officials, the water level at Bhakra Dam (on Sutlej) touched 1,674 feet on Monday, just six feet short of the 1,680-foot danger mark. At 1,390.56 feet, Pong Dam on Beas is already above the danger mark of 1,390 feet. The Ranjit Sagar Dam on Ravi is at 524.9 metres, close to its critical level of 527.91 metres. SEE PAGE 2...